A California dog is recovering after facing a gnarly tumble down a waterfall while on a hike with his owner.
According to a Facebook post by the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, officers received a call from the owner of a mid-sized brown pup named Moscow at 10:22 a.m. on Jan. 25 with some frightening news: While on a hike around Cascade Falls in South Lake Tahoe, Calif., his dog had slid over the falls and fallen roughly 200 feet.
Per the post, the owner informed the sheriff’s office that his pup was still alive at the bottom — and that he was attempting to find a way down to help him.
After receiving word of the incident, the office kicked into gear, dispatching a search and rescue team to recover the dog, with the help of local animal control and a drone from South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue. When responders located Moscow, he was being attended to by a “good Samaritan” who had spotted him while ice climbing, added the sheriff’s office in their post.
Moscow had sustained several serious injuries and his mobility was impacted, so responders strapped the pup into a harnessed backpack, which they used to transport him “out of the slick ice” and into a “warm vehicle.” He was then taken to an emergency veterinarian, where he is “doing well,” the sheriff’s office reported.
In the comments of the Facebook post, community members shared an outpouring of support for injured Moscow and appreciation for the local rescue efforts that helped bring him to safety.
“Poor baby Moscow… happy he was saved! Way to go guys!” wrote one.
“Thank you for rescuing Moscow,” chimed in another. “Two legs or four they are family. ❤️🙏❤️”
Added a third: “Rescues like this that make our community better. Thank you all.”
